Japan inks projects for water infra, agricultural training
AMBASSADOR of Japan to the Philippines Koji Haneda led the signing and exchanging of notes with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Representative Jose Luis Fernandez and International Labor Organization (ILO) Country Director Khalid Hassan on March 6 for two projects in the Bangsamoro Region, witnessed by Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Carlito G. Galvez.
FAO’s project, which amounts to $1.765 million, aims to assist farmers and fisherfolks, including
former combatants, women and indigenous peoples in acquiring various agricultural vocational expertise. The new knowledge and skills are earmarked to help them efficiently operate farms, gain employment or set up their own businesses.
On the other hand, the ILO intervention has a total budget of approximately $2.66 million. It envisions developing water infrastructure that will benefit an estimated 11,814 households. At least 1,800 workers from the target communities will be employed to help build the watersupply facilities.
Both projects are deemed to provide sustainable livelihood and build healthier communities, which are key milestones to achieve peace and development in Mindanao.
These two undertakings form part of the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development, or J-BIRD, which empower people and communities to benefit from the dividends of peace.
Japan, from 2006 to date, has provided a total of about P13 billion, or $260 million, worth of assistance to the Bangsamoro region.
Two weeks prior, two exchanges of notes were signed in Japan for nonproject grant assistance, to provide underground water detection and well-drilling machines for deployment in the Bangsamoro region worth ¥560 million, as well as the urgent rehabilitation of socioeconomic infrastructure, particularly the rebuilding of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority training center in Marawi City, which cost ¥1.8 billion.
The Japanese Embassy believes that all these endeavors will strengthen the momentum for peace and optimum development in the island-region of Mindanao.
Embassy of Japan